Improved steering apparatus



@niiet tatrs @anni @time EDWARD F. HOWARD, 'OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.ASSIGNOR 'TO HIM- SELF AND D. WQIIOWARD.

Letters Patent No. 66,963, dated July 23, 1867.

IMPROVED STEERING APPARATUS.

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TO ALL WHOM IT MAY OONCERN:

Be it known that I, EDWARD F. HOWARD, of Boston, in-the State ofMassachusetts, have invented a new and improved Apparatus for SteeringVessels; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full and correctdescription of the same, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective viewoi` theapparatus'complete.

Figure 2 is a vertical central transverse section through a portion ofthe rudder head, showing its connection with the slide by whaha isoperated.

Figure 3 is a centrallongitudinal section of the nut which operates thescrews, showing its two threads cut in opposite directions.

The saine part is marked by the same letter wherever it occurs.

The nature of this invention consists in a novel mode of transmittingand changing the direction of motion, which I have applied to thesteering apparatus of vessels, the same consisting of a double-threadednut, having its threads cut in opposite directions, receiving andoperating two half-screws, whose threads also run in oppositedirections, all as hereinafter more'fully set forth.

To enable others skilled in the art to make'and u-se my improvedapparatus,-I will proceed to describe its construction and operation,`referring to the drawing, which is made part of this specification, andin which-4- A marlcsvthe deck of the vessel; B B', two stout stanchionswhich support the steering-gear frame, which may be secured tothem inany suitable manner. C is the rudder-l1ead, and C the rudder-cap, withits projecting lugs L. D D are guide-bars, on which the slides E Etraverse. These bars are supported at either end by the heads M M. Thehead M also supports the nut N, which turns on it. The slides E li]1 areattached to the rear ends of the half-screws S S respectively. Each ofthese half-screws is of the form that would result from dividing anentire screw longitudinally through its centre. They are broughttogether by their dat sides, and in such a position that the thread ofone runs in the opposite direction to that of the other, and both passinto and through nut N, which is provided with two threads cut inopposite directions so as to receive and operate both screws at the sametime, driving thefn in opposite directions. The steering-wheel W isattached -to the nut N. From either side of the rudder-cap C project twoarms or lugs, L, which have a parallel-sided recess between them, whichreceives lthe eulnical double'socket s, enclosing the ball I), at thelower end of a rod projecting downward from vthe side nf slide E or E',forming a ball-and-socket joint.

The operation is as follows: When the wheel W is turned, one of thehalf-screws' S S is driven forward, and the other is driven backward,carrying with them their` respective slides EE', moving on the guides DD. These slides, by reason of their connection with the rudder-cap,through the joints b s, cooperate to turn thc rudder in eitherdirection, according to the direction inwhich the wheel W is turned.

It will be observed that there results from this construction a perfectequality oi' action of the nut upon the screws in opposite directions,so that friction from end pressure is entirely relieved. The mode hereindescribed of transmitting and changing the direction of motion I believeto be new, and applicable to various mechanical purposes, vand Icontemplate its employment in those applications. This apparatus shouldbe carefully distinguished from that form of steering-gear in whichhalf-nuts are operated by an entire screwi Having thus fully described.my invention,.what I claim, and desire te secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A steering apparatus operated by means of two half-screws, whosethreads run in opposite directions,

passing through a double-threaded nut, whose threads run in oppositedirections, and to which the steeringwheel is attached, substantially asdescribed.

2. I also claim, in combination with the slides E E, operating asdescribed, theball I) and divided socket s, arranged and operating asset forth. i

3. I claim the combination ofthe half-screws S S', constructed andarranged as described, with the double- I threaded nut N, constructed asdescribed, for the purpose of transmitting and changing the directionof' motion in the manner specied.

The above specification of my said invention signed and witnessed atBoston this 14th day of May, A. D. 1867.

` EDWARD F. HOWARD.

Witnesses:

CHAs. F. STANsnUnY, WILLIAM C. CLEVELAND.

